Loom



July 24. 1928.

E. F. BALDWIN LOOM 12. 1921 11 Sheets-Sheet 1 ,ZZZ G w July 24. 1928.

E. F. BALDWIN LOOM Filed Dec. 12. 1921 11 SMGW-Shflt 2 July 24, 1928.

E. F. BALDWIN LOOM Filed Dec. 12. 1921 ll 51196125-511890 3 3 671%? h, I L

I a w/pw July 24. 1928.

LOOM

Filed Dec. 12, 1921 ll Sheets-Sheet 4 July 24. l 928.

E. F. BALDWIN LOOK Filed Dec. 12. 1921 11 Sheets-Sheet 5 Y Z I:

July 24. 1928.

E. F. BALDWIN LOOM Filed Dec. 12. 1921 11 Sheets-Sheet 8 July 24. 1928.

E. F. BALDWIN LOOM Filed Dec. 12. 1921 smetmeet 9 E. F. BALDWIN July 24, 1928.

LOOM

o wm7 1 I m 0 W n 31 I? July 24. 1928.

E. F. BALDWIN LOOM l Sheets-Sheet ll h Patented July 24, 1928.

UNIT-E STATES P ()FFIC.

EARL F. BALDWIN, F GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN FIBRE CORPORATION, OF GARDNER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION .OF MASSACHU- SET-IS.

LOOM.

Application filed December 12, 1921.

This invention relates to looms having been more particularly designed for weaving fiber such as strands formed from paper strips.

One feature of the invention relates to a novel construction and arrangement of picklaying members which for convenience I for cutting off each pick or filling strand while the pickers are retracted.

A further feature relates to mechanism for feeding a filling strand of indeterminate length to the pickers which grasp the end thereof and carry it through the shed, this feed being continuous, whereby sufficient slack is produced when the pickers are retracted to avoid a destructive jerk on the strand as the succeeding pick is being laid.

A further feature relates to a novel con struction of harness by which the gripping of the pick by the warp strands or threads may be caused to occur progressively from or toward the center or edges of the fabric width, as may be desired in accordance with the condition of the fiber.

Still another feature of this invention relates to improved tension mechanism for the warp strands by which each strand is separately tensioned but all are allowed to move as a unit during the shedding.

This' invention also provides a take-up mechanism so designed as to cause no bruising or injury to the strands in the woven fabric. This mechanism is further so designed as to be adjustable to vary the rate of feed while the machine is running.

Further objects and advantageous details and combinations of parts will appear from a more complete description of an embodiment shown in the accompanying); drawings in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the central portion of the machine partly broken away.

Figure 2 is a front elevation on the left hand end of the machine.

Figure 3 is a similar view of the right hand end.

Figure 4 is a left end elevation.

Figure 5 is a right end elevation,

Serial No. 521,624.

Figure 6 is a section on line 66 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a section on the line 7--7 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Figure 1.

Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9of Figure '1. 4

Figure 10 is an elevation of the harnesses and immediate mechanism.

Figure 11 is a view along the line 1111 of Figure 10, but showing the warp threads 111 position.

Figure 12 is a view partly in section of a right hand picker mechanism.

Figure 13 is a similar view-of a left hand picker mechanism.

Figure 1 1 is a fragmentary View showing the pickers 'in their central mating positions.

Figure 15 and 16 are detail elevations showing a different form of picker .in open and closed positions.

Figures 17 and 18 are similar views of another form of picker.

Figures "19 and 20 are similar viewsshowing a further modification of the picker.

Figure 21 is a section on line 21-21 of Figure 16.

Figure 22 is a top plan of the picker ends ofthe form shown in Figures 15 and 16 and 19 and 20.

Referring first to Figures '1, 2, and 3 the machine as VIOWII comprises a pair of spaced vertical frame members 1 and 2 between which the fabric is woven. These frame members are supported from end base sections 3 and 4 which extend outwardly from the frames 1 and 2 and which carry at their outer ends vertical standards 5 and 6 which carry at their upper ends guide frames 7 and 8 for the slidable reception of the pickers.

'Each frame 7 and 8 comprises a pair of parallel spaced elements 9 and 10 having their opposed faces grooved to receive shoes 11. 12, 13, and 14 which are pivoted on studs 15 'to the outer ends of the pickers, the left hand picker being indicated in Figure 2 at 16 and the right hand picker indicated in Figure 3 at 17. The guide members 9 and 10 are fixed to the forward face of plates 20 by which they are held in. re or relative positions. The pickers 16 and 17 are reciprocated between the guideways 9 and 10 in Opposite directions in un sion. For this purpose the base frames 3 and 4 have pivoted thereto arms 25, the pivotal connection preferably consisting of bolts 26 adjustably fixed in guideways 27 at the bases of the portions 3 and 4. The upper end of each arm is connected by a link 26 pivoted at opposite ends to one of the arms to its respective picker 16 or 17. Thesearms 25 are swung about their pivots 26 by means of a pair of eccentrics 2'7 and 28, the straps 29 and 30 of which have fixed thereto rods 31 pivoted at their outer ends at 32 to the arms 25. In order to adjust the extent of swing of these arms it is-preferable to mount each pivot 32 in a slotted portion 34 which may, if desired, be formed on 'a socket member which receives the lower end of the corresponding arm lVith this construction the socket member may be of metal while the arm itself may be of wood to lighten the construction.

The eccentric 27 is fixed to a shaft 40 journaled in a pair of pedestals 41 (see Figure 4) extending upwardly from a platform 42 mounted on the base 3. Between the bearings 41 the shaft 40 has fixed thereto a beveled gear 43 which meshes with a similar gear 44 fixed to a shaft 45 which extends substantially the length of the machine and is the main driving shaft. This shaft is journaled outwardly of the frame members 1 and 2 in pedestals 46 and 47 (see Figures 2 and 3). Beyond the pedestal 47 shaft 45 carries a bevel gear 48 meshing with a simi lar gear 49 on a shaft 50 which carries the eccentric 28. The shaft 50, as shown in by a jack shaft 62., this shaft being journaled in pedestals 63. c This shaft 62 has journaled thereon a'g'ear 64. which forms one element of a clutch. Any suitable form of clutch may be used but as shown a-clutch of the expanding ring type is used, being. indicated in outline at 65 and having an actuating arm 66 by which it may be expanded to clutch the gear 64 to the jack shaft 62. For actuating this arm a cone collar 67 is shown as slidably mounted on the jack shaft, the conical face thereof engaging the end of the arm 66. This collar may be moved lengthwise on the shaft by means of a forked arm 68, the forks thereof engaging in a peripheral groove 69 in the collar, this arm beingfixed to one end of anactuating rod- 70 which is slidable through the end frame or wall 2. At its inner end it is pivoted to the end of an arm 71 (see Figures 3 and 9) which is fixed to a rock shaft 72 journaled in bearing brackets 73 fixed to the inner face of the wall 2. At its opposite end rock shaft 72 has fixed thereto an arm 74 and to the upper end of this arm is pivotally attached a reciprocable clutch shipper rod 75. This rod 75 extends across the machine and through the frame member or wall 1 and outwardly thereof is pivoted at 76 (see- Figures 2 and 4) to an actuating lever 77. This actuating lever is pivoted at its lower end to a bracket 7 8 fixe to the outer face of the frame member 1 and extends upwardly and terminates in an actuating handle 79 which is positioned near the upper forward edge of the frame member 1. This lever may be guided in its movements by meansof .a slotted bracket 80 fixed to the outer face of the frame member 1. It will be seen therefore that the clutch is actuated from the opposite end of the machine where it is convenient to the operator as will be later described.

The gear 64 on the jack shaft is driven through an idler gear 80 suitably supported from a bracket 81 by a pinion 82 fixed to the shaft 83 of an electric motor 84, this motor being mounted on a bracket 85 extending rearwardly from the base member 4.

Pickers.

As before stated the pickers are intended to move in opposite directions to meet substantially centrally of the fabric and then to retract therefrom. The filling strand, as shown at in Figure 2, is presented through a filling paying out mechanism which will later be described, to the left hand picker. The strand is engaged by this picker when in its retracted position so that on its advance to meet the other picker the strand is carried substantially half way through the shed and presented to the other picker which thereupon seizes the end there of while the left hand picker releases the strand. As both pickers are then retracted the strand pays out through the left hand picker and is carried the remainder of the distance through the sheds by the right hand picker, the picks thus being laid in the shed. A cutting mechanism, to be described, then severs the strand adjacent the left hand picker which grips the material again for the laying of a subsequent pick in the same manner. Certain pickers designed to function in this manner are shown in detail in Figures 12 to 22.

Referring to the form shown in Figure 13, which illustrates one form of left hand picker indicated in Figure 2 at 16, forward ly of the pivots 15 the picker comprises a bar formed as a tube having fixed at its outer end a strand guide 96. This guide comprises a nozzle portion 97 fixed in the end of a plug 98 which closes the outer end of the tube. The plug 98 is perforated centrally in alineinent with the nozzle perforation for the passage of the strand and has prO eeting rearwardly therefrom atubular extension terminating in a beveled end 100. The tube 9:") is slotted at 101 for the passage of the strand and has slidable therein a guide block 102. One end of this guide block has fixed thereto the inner ends of a pair of clamping bars or jaws 102), 101 the jaw 103 having a slot 105 therethrougl'h through which the strand may be passed to be {gripped between the ends of the bars in alinement with the nozzle 07. The forward ends of the bars 103, 101 are beveled as shown at 106 and 107 so that by sliding; the block 102 towards the nozzle, these ends niay impinge on the beveled end and be wedged apart to release the strand such action being indicated in the left hand por-- tion of Figure 11, and by sliding the block 102 rear ardly the ends of the bars 103 and 101 slip otf the portion 09 and resume their closed position as shown in Figure 1?.

For actuating the clamping jaws in this mannen the guide block 102 ha iixezl thereto a rod 108. This rod is preferably threaded into the block 102 as shown at a check nut 110 being provided by which the effective length of the rod 10H may be adjusted and fixed. This rod 108 extends through the tube 95 and extends through a guide portion 111 fixed on the "forward face of a block 112 which carries the pivots 15 for the guide shoes 11. 12, 13, and 14. ()utwardly of the guide 111, the rod 108 has fixed thereto a forked .iember 113 between the arms of which is pivoted the lower end of a lever 114; t'u crumed on a bolt or pin 115 carried at the upper end of an arm 116 extending from the till, 112 The upper end of the lever lit t tcrmi hates in a rounded head 11? which, as shown in Figure 2, is designed to impinge on a pair of abutment; 118 fixed to the guide member 0 near the limits of traverse of the min 110. lVhen the head 11? impinges o. the left hand abutment it is evident that the the lever 114 is rocket lower end 0. outwardly, thus retracting! the jaws 10:1 and 101 from the portion 05) and permitting: them to grasp a stranih while en ra nment of this hrad with the right hand abutment 118 rocks the lever in the other direction to i'orce the ends of the jaws 103 and 10 on to the portion 00 to re ease the strand. 'lhis picker being in the position shown in Figure 2. therefore, the jaws may to'ip the strand preparatory to carryiusi' it into the shed. 'lhc strand is first threaded lit'twttil these jaws preferably before the complete retraction of the picker so that the jaws are open th strand eXtendiinioutwardly through the nozzle 97. As the picker com; plete; its out and movement. the jaws cntragic the strand and pull it ba 1: 'ardly so that its end, retracts within the nozzle. On inward motion of the picker the strand is carried within the shed to the opposite pieln er but at the extreme inward motion thereof the end of the strand is projected from the nozzle and then released from this picker by ei'i i agg einent of the lever 114 with the right hand abutment 118. retraction of this picker toward the position shown in Figure 2, the strand may therefore be pulled through the picker which is released therefrom.

The right hand picker, which receives the strand from the left hand picker, may be constructed as shown in Figure 12. As there shown it comprises a tube 120 having at its inner end a conical hollow socket 121 within which the nozzle 97 of the left hand picker may project as shown in Figure 14. This member 121 has projecting from its rearward end a tubular extension 122 terminating; in a beveled end 123. Slidable within the tube 120 is a block 124 having fixed at its outer end a pair of bars or jaws 125, 120 similar to the jaws 103 and 104, except that neither is slotted for the passage of the strand. Those jaws may be separated to release the strand by movement of the block 121 in a direct on to carry their ends into contact with the beveled end 123, these jaws l')(l1i, provided with mating beveled ends 125' and 126' to cause them to ride up over on to the portion 122. They may be moved to grip the strand by sliding the bloek 12 1- in the opposite direction, allowing their inner ends to slip off the portion 122. For actuating the block 112 in this manner a rod 128 is adjustably fixed therein and held in adjusted position by means of a lock nut 12!)' This rod extends through a guide 130 fixed to the forward face of a block 131, similar to the block 122, and has fixet'l at its end a forked member 132 between the arms of which is pivoted at 133 a lever 1:14 fulcrumed at 135 to the block. it will, be noted that whi e the lever 11 1 is of the irst class, lever 134 is. of the second class. This lever 134 extends upwardly toward the right hand guide member 0 and impinges near opposite ends of the stroke of this picker on abutment brackets 130. As the lever impinges on the left hand bracket 1 30. as the pit-hers come together (see Fig:- ure 14). this lever is rocked rearwardly, thus retracting the rod 128 and removing the jaws 125 and 120 from the portion 122. permitting; them to engage the strand presented thereto by the left hand picker as shown in full lines in Figure ll the position of the parts just prior to this position being shown in dotted lin s in this figure. As the pickers retract. the strand is therefore pulled through the left hand picker until the pickers have nearly reached their limit of motion. At this time the lever 134 impinges on the rig h t hand bracket 136 and is rocked forwardly by the continued outward motion of the picker, pushing the rod 128 in- On subsequent trill lit) wardly and causing the jaws 125 and 126 to ride up on the member 122 and release the strand, this action taking place substantially simultaneously with the gripping of the strand by the left hand picker.

In Figures 15, 16, 21 and 22 is shown a modified form of picker which may he used in place of the left hand picker 16. In this construction in place of the tube is employed a pair of spaced spring bars 140 and 1-11. The outer ends of these bars are bent toward each other and terminate in gripping jaws 1'12, 113 which are preferally serrated in order to obtain a better grip on the strand. These jaw portions are offset lat erally from the remainder of the bars and 111 as shown in Figure and the member 1 12 is provided with cars 1 11-, depending on either side of the portion 143 in order to prevent the lateral escape of the strand from between the jaws. Positioned back of the jaws the bars and 1%11 have fixed thereto cam plates 116 and 1 17. aeh cam plate having an angular hump 148 thereon. Positioned between the plates 1 16, 141 is a wedge cam member let?) fixed at its rear end by a threaded connection to a rod 150. this rod corresponding in action and position to the rod 108 shown in Figure 113 and which made fast at its outeend in the same manner to the lower end of they lever 114. The cam member 149 notched to form a. larger substantially diamond shaped portion 151 and outwardly thereof a smaller similar portion 152. hen the cam member is positioned so that the humps 1 18 bear between these portions 151 and the clamping jaws 142 and 14 close together as shown in Figure Vhen. however, the cam member is moved inwardly to the position shown in l igure 16. the humps 1'18 bearing: forwardt y of the portion 151, the jaws are opened. hlince the bar is air-- tuated by the lever 111- these jaws are caused to grip the strand at their extreme retracted position and to release the strand when the picker moved forwardtv. hav ing laid the strand half way through the shed. The strand is then seized by a picker, the end of which is shown in Figures 19 and 2t). l'teferringr to these lig 'ures, parallel spaced spring bars 16( and 161 are bent toward each other at their outer ends to form jaws 162 and 163 similar to the jaws 112 and 1-13. the jaw 162 having: side plates 16! enclosing the side edges of the jaw 1621. Rearwardly of these jaws. bars 161) and 161 are provided with cam humps 165 and cooperating therewith is a cam member 166 having a pointed end 167 and a pair of oppositely disposed recesses 168 back of the point. Connected to the cam member 166 an actuating rod 170 which connected similar to the rod 128 of the form shown in Figure 12 to the actuating lever 134. In the position of the parts as shown in Figure 19, the cam member 166 is retracted so that the humps 165 are adjacent the point 167 so that the jaws 162 and 163 may close together. When the rod 170 pushed inwardly to bring the depressions 168 opposite the cam humps 165, the are opened as shown in Figure 20. As the rod 170 actuated by the lever 134; these jaws are closed when the picker is at its inward limit of motion adjacent the end of the left hand picker to talze the strand therefrom and are opened as this picker reaches the extreme outward limit of motion.

In Figures 17 and 18 is shown a still further modification of the left hand picke in v-ihich the jaw 142 has no side plates ll-l overlapping the lower jaw, but instead is prm'ided with a strand receiving eye extcnding; longitudinally thereof as at 1T1. The mating jaw 143 is slotted to eceive the eye member 171 and has a toothed projection 173. which when the jaws are close together, through an opening, 1H in the eye member and to clamp the strand against a mating serrated portion 175 within the eye. The rear end of the eye termii'iates in an outwardly flared portion 116 so that the strand may be fed readily into the eye. lhrse jaws may be actuated by a cam member l-ltl in the manner described in coziiwction widi Figures 15 and 16. The jaws arc ()lTnlt from the body of the spring bars in each instance as shown in Figure 22 in order to make the threadii'ig of the strand therein by the op rator an easy matter.

The form of picky shown in l i gnrcs 12 and 1.3 is particularly adapted for wet or soft material since the end of the strand does not project lroin the left hand picln'r while it is being carried into the shed until it is within the norzzle-reccivingr r-f(i ,ci1 almost in position to be grasped by the right hand picker. Its proper presentation for grasping by the receiving picker is then assured.

Fil/z'n (w'fl'tIJ/(l cutting inch/ ionism.

After the laying of each pick the strand is cut adjacent the end of the left hand picker so that when the laiter. to be described, has pushed the pic]; into position, a. new strand ma be laid. This cuttin oli mechanism is hown in l igi cs 1, 2, and 6. Referring to l ipjurc 6. it comprises a pair of bars 18 and 181 which are slidable side by side in a vertical guide 182 tixcd to the inner face of the frame member 1. The upper end of the bar has a lateral jaw extension 183 to which is made fast a knife 181 which is positioned directly above a correspolldingj cooperating knife 185 fixed to the upper end or jaw of the slide 181. The slides 180 and 181 are held in position in the guide 182 by retaining plates 186. The lower end of this guide has fulcrulned thereon at 187 loo a cam lever 188 and a pair of links 180 and 190 are pivoted at their lower ends to the ends of this cam lever and ends at 191 and 102 to the slides 80 and 181. By rocking of this cam lever it is therefore evident that the bars 181) and 1%1 may be reciprocated in opposite directicn..-: to cause the knives 184; and ln'f to approach and recede from each other. 'lhese bars are so actuated by means of a cam Elli fixed to a shaft 194, this cam having a hump 195 there on which is movable to engage a roller 106 journaled on the lever 188. This roller is urged downwardly toward the cam by means of a spring 197 engaging at its upper end over the pivot 192 and at its lower end over the pivot 187, this spring therefore tending to keep the bar 181 in its lowered position. In order to prevent wear of the parts the cam lever 169 is held slightly above the surface of the cam 193 except when the hump 195 is active. For this purpose a stop 1% adjustably carried by a bracket 1519 fixed to the inner face of the frame member 1 positioned to be impinged by the lowcr outer end of the lever 188 to limit the downward. motion of this arm. The hump 195 with the cam 193 is so positioned as to raise the roller 19(5 and actuate the cutters with a sudden movement as the left hand picker 1(' is in its retracted position. The knives then part and the picker in its inward motion passes iuunediately therehetween. The shaft 191 is also designed to actuate the beater elevator shaft in a manner which will be later dcscribed. This cutting mechanism is not claimed per se herein, being claimed in my divisional application Serial No. 19%.866, tiled May 28, 1927, for strand severing mechanism.

at their upper S/z @(Zdin-g mec/wnism.

Poritioned between the frames 1 and 2 back of the paths of the pickers is the shedding mechanism. As shown more clearly in Figure it) this mechanism comprises a series of harncss frames which are posit oned in pairs cud to end as shown at J10. 2111 and 2292. .203. 52110 and All being the forward frames and 202 and 2025 the rearwzml frames. These frames carry the heddles for controlling the motion of the warp threads or strands in the usual manner. these being indicated for the forward frames at 201 and for the rearward frames at 4H5. tire up and down movement of ti "i the shedding action is caused to take place.

As when the fiber for which this machin is desi;.;'ned is dry it is brittle. this invention provides means whereby the shedding may take place progressively between the center and edges of the fabric. liy th's means the pick as laid is gripped by the warp strands near the center of the fabric as it is being beaten into place so that it may draw inwardly toward the center to (onform to its crimped condition in the finished fabric, this condition being caused by passing alternately over and under the warp strands. As the shedding takes place prog ely the crimping also takes place prog eysivcly and avoids the liability of break 1 strand due to the tension imposed thereon by this action. Should the strand be wet, however, and in somewhat soft condition, it is possible to change the sequence of shedding so that crimping by the warp strands takes place progressively from the edges of the fabric toward the center. This progressively grips the pick from its ends inwardly, preventing the drawing inwardly thereof and causes the strand to be stretched as it is beaten into place. For the purpose of effecting this progressive action the harness frames are formed in a pair of sections, positioned end to end across the width of the fabric as just described so that the timing of the shedding between the center and the sides of. the fabric may be varied. For

the purpose of actuating these frames in this manner. each frame has depending from its lower edge adjacent its end, an arm 206 to the lower end of whi h is pivoted, as shown in Figures 1 and 9, the upper end of a bar ZUT. These bars are made fast at their lower ends in eccentric straps 208 of eccentries 2011 fixed to rotate with a shaft 210 which extends through the end frames 1 and 2. Positioned intermediate these frames is a bracket 211 arranged parallel therewith and in opposite side faces of this bracket and on the inner fates of the frames 1 and Z are vertical guides for guiding the several frames in their vertical movement. The bracket 211 is supported from a longitudinal frame member 213 which ties the frame members 1 and 2 together adjacent their upper rear corners, a similar member 214 being employed adjacent the lower rea corn rs. Beneath the bracket 211 a bracket 2315 having bearings for the various operating shafts is placed and is supported at its forward end on a front fram member 216.

The eccentrics for actuating opposite ends of each mating pair of harness frames may be adjusted so as to cause the mating inner ends of these frames to move somewhatv ancad or behind the outer ends of these frames the stroke of both ends having the same amplitude. This causes the shedding to take place progressively as indicated in l igures 1t) and 11 where it is noted that the openings in the heddles 204 and 205 are more widely spaced centrally where the pairs of frames mee than at their ends indicating that the shedding is nearer complete at that point than at the sides of the fabric. This is indicated in Figure 11 wherein the strands a. controlled by the front and back harness frames 201 and 203, are more widely spaced than the strands 7), b, c, c, (Z, (Z, c, e, positioned progressively further from this point and nearer one side of the fabric. This causes the pick, indicated in section at 50 in this figure to be more tightly engaged by the strands a. a than the remaining strands which are progressively less in engagement as they are further away from strands a. As the two ends of these frames have the same amplitude of motion, however, it is evident that the strands b, c, d, and 6 Will successively assume as wide open a position as the strands a but at a later period. This progressive action is believed to be broadly new and is regarded as a valuable feature of this invention since it permits fiber of various degrees of dryness to be handled siurcessfully, allowing the tension exerted thereon to be regulated to accomplish the best results As shown in Figures 1 and J the shaft 210 which actuates the harnesses is driven from the main shaft 45 by means of a gear 2lT thereon meshing with a pinion 2l8 lixed to the shaft 45.

The shedding mechanism per se is claimed in my divisional application Serial Number 603,340, filed November 25, 1922, for harness mechanism for looms.

Warp tension mechanism.

Because of the progressive action of the harness mechanism causing progressive shedding, the warp threads must be drawn through the tension mechanism at somewhat different times. For this purpose means for applying tension individually to the warp strands has been provided. As shown in Figures 4, 5. (5. 7, 8, and 9, between the end frames 1 and 2 is positioned a bar 220 of somewhat T-shape in cross section. Passing through the end frame members 1 and 2 are bolts 221 and 222 (see Figures 4 and which engage within suitable sockets in the ends of the bar 220 and serve to pivotally mount this bar. Seated on the upper face of the bar 220 is a bar 223 having a series of openings therethrough, one for each strand of warp material and positioned back of each opening 224 is an eye 225 flared outwardly at its rear end through which the strands may be threaded. Within each recess or opening 224 is pivoted a tension lever 226. the inner end of which is urged downwardly toward the bar 220 to engage on the strand by means of a spring seated in a socket 228 thereabove and the tension of which may be adjusted by means of a plug 229 threzuled in the upper end of this socket. By grasping the upper end of lever 226 it may be rocked upwardly out of engagement with the strand so that the strand may be fed therethrough by hand as in threading the machine. Extending from opposite ends of the bar 223 are arms 230 which project forwardly over the frame portions 1 and 2 and terminate in vert cally disposed socketed portions 231 within which are housed coil springs 232 which bear on the upper faces of the frame portions 1 and 2. The tension on these springs may be regulated by means of screw rods 233 threaded through the upper ends of the portions 22M and having lock nuts 2:34 thereon for fixing them in adjusted position. The extent to which these arms 230 may be swung downwardly toward the upper faces of the frame portions 1 and 2 is adjustably fixed by means of rods 235 threaded tnrough lugs exti'znding forwardly of the portions 231 and striking at their lower ends on the frames. Lock nuts 2:67 may be employed to fix these studs in adjusted position. As the tension elements 220 engage the strands above the pivot bolts 22l and 222 tension exerted on the strands forwardly through the harnesses tends to reel; the arms 231 downwardly as far as pcrmi ted by the stop studs 235. The springs however, are designed to be much heavier than the tension springs for the Individual strands so that the bar will yield as far permitted by the studs 235. only when all the strands are tensloned at a point not quite sufficient to permit them to feed through their individual tensioning devices. Tension applied to a few strands causes them to pay through their individual tension devices without moving the bar. This permits a yielding of the tensicning device as a whole to the tension caused by the shedding motion of the harness frames and permits each strand to pay out as it is additionally tensioned due to the progressive shedding action to effect a substantially uniform tension on all the stramls. the springs 232 acting as master springs for the entire set of warp strands.

his warp tension mechanism is claimed in my divisional application Serial Number (503,335), which eventuated March 10, 1925, into Patent No. 1,529,417, let-off mechanism for looms.

Filling feed mechanism.

The tiller feed mechanism is driven from the main shaft 45 by means of a gear 240 (see Figure 9) fixed to this shaft and meshing with a pinion 241 fixed to a shaft This shaft extems between the frame members 1 and 2 and through the frame member 1, on the outer face of which it carries, as shown in Figure 4, a friction wheel or disk Positioned diametrically across the face of the disk 243 is a shaft 244 which is journaled at its opposite ends in bearings 245 which are pivotally mounted on vertical pivots 246. Shaft 244 threaded indicated at 247 for the reception of a pair of threaded collars each collar having a series of openings 249 therein for the reception of a spanner wrench by which they may be rotated. These collars are adapted to clamp between them' a. friction wheel 250 having; a frictional peripheral face 251 of yielding material which bears on the face of the friction disk 2ft The bearings before mentioned are positioned so to urge the wheel 251 against the face of the disk 213, the shaft 21% flexing slightly for this purpose. Because of this flexingof the shaft 241- the bearings 2&5 are pivotally sup ported. i idjacent the forward bearing 245 the shaft 244 carries a grooved wheel 252 about which the strain may pass being led thereto through an openinglf in a guide plate 253 positioned near the lower edge of this wheel. The strand passes about this wheel and beneath a narrow roller which bears against the upper face of the strand. This roller 251 is carried by a lever 255 pivoted at 250 (see Figure 2) to a portion of the plate 253, the inner end of this lever bearing on a plunger 257 seated in a verti 'al socket 258. The roller may be urged into engagement with the strand by means of a spring (not shown) seated within the portion 258 and bearing against the pin 237. This construction insures a frictional feed for the strand, the rate of this fcctl being adius-itable by adjusting the position of the friction face 251 radially of the disk 243, it being fixed in adjusted position by tightening the collars 2-l8 thereagainst. It will be noted that a filling strand of indeterminate length thus presented to the left hand picker continuously so that as this pic er starts to carry the end of the strand into the shed, after the cutting;- of the strand has been effected, the strand elackened sufficiently between the picker and the bigzht between the roller and wheel 252 to avoid any sudden jerk thereon which might cause breakage or overrunning of the reel. (not shown) which may he used to carry the filling strand.

Beatny; aneclzrmtwn.

After the pick has been laid in the shed it is beaten up against the completed fabric by means of a heater which comprises a bar 270 having upstanding: therefrom a series of teeth 271 which extend between the strands of warp material. The bar 270 extends between the frames 1 and 2 and mounted to slide on a pair of arms 272 which are fixed to a rock shaft 27?) journalcd in the frames 1 and 2 and also in a bracket 274- extending upwardly from the intermediate bracket The slidable mountinir of the bar 270 is by means of frames 275 slidable along the arms 272 and to the rear ends of which the bar is made fast. The rear ends of the arms 272 are rocked upwardly to bring the teeth 271 in position between the warp strands and downwardly to remove them from operative relation thereto by means of a pair of cams 270 (see Figures 1, 7, and 8) which are fixed to the shaft 194 which actuatcs the filling strand cutter and which is journaled in the frames 1 and 2 and in the intermediate bracket 215. The cams 276 are face cams. each having; a cam groove 278 within which rides a follower 279 fixed to a yoke member 280. This yoke member is forked at its lower end 281 to take over the shaft 104- in order to guidethe yoke in its motion. The upper end of this yoke is attached by means of a bar 282 to the rear end of each arm The shaft 194 is driven by a gear 283 meshing with the gear 217 fixed to the shaft 210. The slide frames 275 are reciprocated on the arms 272 by means of a pair of arms indicated at 285 which are pivoted at their upper ends to links 2850 pi oted to the frames and at their lower ends intermediate the ends of tie brackets 286 which extend across between the frame members 21% and 210 by means of pivot pins 287. Arms 285 are rocked forwardly and rearwardly by means of a pair of cams 290 which are fixed to a shaft 291 journaled at its cnds in the frames 1 and 2 and at its central point in a tie member 292 (see Figure 8) joining the back frame members 213 and 214. As shown in Figure 9 this shaft 25) is driven from the main shaft by means of a gear 293 thereon meshing with a gear 240. Each of the cams 290 has a cam .2,'roove 20 1 in one face within which rides a follower 295 carried at the rear end of an arm 296 slotted at 297 to receive therethroueh the shaft 291, and which is pivoted at its forward end 298 to one of the arms 285. \Vith this construction after the pick has been laid the bar 270 is raised upwardly to bring the teeth 271 between the strands of warp material and is moved to beat the pick up against the woven fabric.

F obi-i0 Italic-up.

After being: beaten the fabric passes over the take-up mechanisn'i which comprises an upper roll 300 over which the fabric passes, a roll 301 beneath r-oll 300. under which the fabric passes. and roll 302 in horizontal a linement with roll 301 over which the fabric passes. From the roll 302 the fabric passes downwardly to the arbor or mandrel 8021; on which it is wound. The roll 301 is intermittently driven to take up the material as it is woven and for this purpose its shaft 30% has fixed at the end thereof outwardly of the f ame 2 a large gear 305 (see Figures 3, and 7). Between the gear 305 and the frame 2 this shaft also carries a smaller e'ear 306 which meshes with a similar gear 3307 fixed to rotate the roll 300. Both the rolls 300 a ad 301 are iournaled in boxes as shown at 308 and 30$) which are vertically slidablc in guide recesses 310 formed in each frame 1 and the upper box 308 being spring" supported as shown at 311. on the lower box. The roll 302 is journaled in a bracket 3H2 fixed or integral with the front tacos of the members 1 and 2. in order that the strands of fabric may not be crushed by pasaing over these rolls it is preferable to form the upper roll 300 fluted or hmgitudinally corrugated as shown at 313 in Figures 1 and ihe depresvions of these corrugations coax g opposite the lines of \zrp strands. This peimits the titling strands, which are crimped by the alternate passing over and under the warp strands, to lie in these depressions so that they are not unduly fOltlpressed or injured, the fabric being engaged substai'itially uniformly across its vidth.

For the purpose of driving theee, rolls intermittently as above described. a ratchet mechruiism has been provided, this being; shown more particularly in Figure 5. iltwardly of the frame portion 2 the main shat't l5 -arries an eccentric 315 having:- a strap bit; to which is attached an arm 27-17. The outer end ot this arm may be pivoted by a pin passed through any one of a plurality of holes 318 therein to the lower end of bar tilt). The upper end of this bar ti an arm 320 which is pivoted on a r T jonrnaled between side plates 322, ea made fast to the end frame member 2. This shat; 321 has fixed thereon a ratchet wheel 32land a pinion The inioa meshes with a gear 326 carried on stub shaft 321' also journaled between the side plate and 323 and which carries a ion meshing with the gear 303. It

thus be seen that rotation of the shaft $2 the will impart rotation to the gear 303 and feed roll 301. Rotation of the Shaft 321 is produced by oscillations of the arm 320. by means of a pawl 329, which is pivoted at 33;!) to the arm 320. While this pawl so constructed as to tend by gravity to engage the teeth of the 'atchet wheel Sill. such action may be insured by means ot a spring; ti l-l 'trateued at one end to the arm 232i) and it the other to the rear end of the pawl. A i vity actuated pawl 3232 positioned above the ratchet wheel serves to prevent reverse ation thereol'. While adj uitment ot' the 'ow ot the pawl 329 may be etleeted o changing the point of connection of the link 317 to the bar 319, further adjr'rment is also prov ded which may be actuated by die operator while the ma :hine is in operation. This means comprises a hell crank member $333 pivoted on the shaft P521, one arm of this lever extending); over the teeth of t e ratchet wheel and turnishimg a knot-ltoil engaging: the inner end of the pawl 329 on its revacting stroke and forcing it out of engagement with these teeth. The position of this arm annularly is determined by means of a link 3334: pivoted at one end i cut t is bracket th :h it: Illt) has, liXttl an n iii-l terminating in a resilient handle 1" n 251?; geahlc in the notches llv this meant; t re shaft Sit) may be relied rnd held in ad iueted rocked poaiiion by en- ;gfagemtnt of the handle 3153 in the notches this seivng to change the angular posi- 1 of the pawl knock-oil with relation to ie --;\lli:,jfl1l;f motion of the arm 32) t( deternine the extent of motion of the rzm'het wheel at each actuation of the arm 32H. it will be noted that this control is at the left side of the machine re lily accessibleto he operator who may the same :11 point superintend the feeding: oi the titling ntrand and control the main clutch.

The {alnitake-up mechanism claimed in my divhizmal applic: 'ion Serial Natalie; 603.2338. tiled November 25, l ilr up For looms. I

The fabric wound on an arbor jiitlititllttl at one end in a bracket 366 lived to the front tare of frame mend er the other end of this arbor h 1 1't1"1l()\h)l "v lined between jaws 336T outstanding from a bracket 368 made fa t to the frame ii'i iiiiier 1. The arbor is llQl-il in po:-=ition by me; o! a cotter pin 369. For the purpme of driving this arbor the shaft 80loutwardly of the pear 305 has a belt pulley 350 and the arbor Z303 has a simila' puliey 2351 over which passed a belt 352. The 'lricliou talc:

exerted between the belts and the paiteya may be 'ttlJlHt'Qtl by means of a tig liteit-in; device compri an arm 321i pivo i 3.35 to a bracket member ilt'wtl. T haw an outwardly extending fian e receiving the pivot 33:1 than; eingl' formed a; a

'1 1c with the pivot 3.75 and having teeth 3T1 thereon The arm 35 eiirriex a pawl 3T2 engjja able wi ii there teeth. At the upper end of this a rm is; carried a belt ti ener pulley 373 which bears againrt tln 3.52, the amount of te ion thereon i= ulated by the position of the pawl 372 5. iins at the teeth 371. The lower end of he inher 354 terminates in an actuating ham i 'ing thus described certain embodiniez. 0' this invention it should be evident to tl ose iliillttl in the art that many changes and modificatirms might be matte therein without departing from its spirit or scope as dc ned by the appended claims.

ion

I claim:

1. A pick laying means comprising a reciprocable bar having a strand channel therein, jaws reciprocably carried by said bar for gripping a strand in said channel, means actuable to close and open said jaws by their reciprocation relative to said bar. and means actuated by the reciprocation of said bar for reciprocating said jaws relative thereto.

2. A pick laying means comprising a reciprocable bar having a strand channel, jaws for gripping a strand in said channel, a lever fulcrumed on said bar, connections from said lever to said jaws Wherey said jaws are opened and closed by the rocking of said lever, and stops positioned adjacent the path of said bar against which said lever impinges to be rocked by continued motion of said bar after such impingement.

3. A pick laying means comprising a reciprocable bar having a channel for a strand therein, jaws tending to grip a strand in said channel, a Wedge element carried by said bar and actuable to open said jaws or to permit said jaws to close, and means actuable when sald bar approaches the limits of its reciprocation for actuating said element.

4. Pick laying means comprising a reciprocable bar, strand gripping jiaws reciprocable with and relative to said bar, means actuable to close and open said jaws by their reciprocation relative to said bar, and means actuated by the reciprocation of said bar for reciprocating said jaws relative thereto.

5. Pick laying means comprising a reciprocable bar, jaws movable with said bar for gripping a strand, a lever fulcrumed on said bar, connections from said lever to said jaws, whereby said jaws are opened and closed by the rocking of said lever, and stops positioned adjacent to the path of said bar and against which said lever impinges to be rocked by continued motion of said bar after such impingement.

6. In a loom, shedding mechanism, means for successively laying and cutting off from a strand of indeterminate length picks of filling in the shed, and means for continuously feeding the strand to said means.

7. In a loom, shedding mechanism, means for carrying the end of a filling strand to a point intermediate the sides of the shed, means for grasping the end of the strand so carried and drawing it the remaining distance through the shed, means for cutting off the strand beyond said carrying means when said grasping means is retracted whereby the end of the strand may be grasped for a succeeding carrying move ment, and means for feeding said strand continuously to said carrying member.

8. In a loom, shedding mechanism, means for carrying the end of a filling strand to a point intermediate the sides of the shed, means for grasping the end of the strand so carried and drawing it the remaining distance through the shed, means for cutting off the strand beyond said carrying means when said grasping means is retracted whereby the end of the strand may be grasped for a succeeding carrying movement, and means to produce a slack condition of said strand adjacent said carrying means while it is retracted to prevent a sudden jerk thereon on a succeeding carrying movement.

9. A loom comprising shedding mechanism, a pair of pick-laying members movable into the shed from opposite sides, one of said members presenting the end of a filling strand of indeterminate length to the other of said members to receive and grip the same, whereby on subsequent retraction of said members a pick is laid, and means for cutting the strand adjacent said presenting member when said pickers are retracted, said presenting member having means acting to retract the cut end thereinto and there retain it during the succeeding inward motion of the members and then to project it into position to be engaged by said receiving member.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature.

EARL F. BALDWIN. 

